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Social Change

Social Change. The Study of Social Change. One of sociology’s “big questions” An attempt to understand and predict changes in the social world Macro and m icro level changes occur. Sources of Social Change. Physical Environment Population Clashes over resources and values Norms

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Social Change

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  1. Social Change

  2. The Study of Social Change • One of sociology’s “big questions” • An attempt to understand and predict changes in the social world • Macro and micro level changes occur

  3. Sources of Social Change • Physical Environment • Population • Clashes over resources and values • Norms • Innovation • Discoveries and inventions • Diffusion • The mass media

  4. Cultural Lag • When non-material culture must adapt to changes in material culture • Examples?

  5. Social Change in The United States • The information revolution • How do computers, cell phones and other new gadgets shape the way Americans live? What changes have occurred? Are these changes positive or negative? • Do some people have advantages with use of technology? Do computers and phones make Americans smarter citizens, better students, and more attentive lovers?

  6. Collective Behavior • Rumors, Fashions and Fads, Mass hysteria and panic • Crowds • Suggestiblity • Deindividualization • Invulnerability

  7. Emergent Norm Theory • Crowd members evolve new behaviors in a crowd setting and then enforce the new expectation as a new norm • Examples?

  8. Social Movements • A large number of people bringing about or resisting social change • Challenge established institutions • Seek to alter the course of history • What causes social movements?

  9. Causes of Social Movements • Deprivation Approaches • Relative deprivation

  10. Social Revolution • How does a revolution occur? • A centralized state to mobilize against • A weakened military allegiance • Political Crises • A large portion of the population must mobilize

  11. Looking to the Future • Futurists • Any bold predictions?

  12. Sociology and Social Change • The sociological imagination involves moving away from thinking in terms of the individual. • A focus on changing the social structure rather than on changing people

  13. Human Agency: Social Change from the Bottom Up • Throughout U.S. history individuals have organized to create a more just, equal society. • Environmental sensitivity, civil rights, and women’s rights were not generated by people high up, but from collective action of individuals.

  14. Human Agency: Social Change from the Bottom Up • Individuals Protesting and Organizing for Change • Racial Minorities • Workers • Women • Immigrants • The Gay and Lesbian Community • Environmental activists • The disabled

  15. Sociology and Social Change • Sociology is subversive. • Sociology challenges the core of society’s dominant ideology. • Sociology is critical of society.

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